IATA
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IATA World Passenger Symposium to Focus on Putting the Customer First .
18 October 2022 Geneva – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that ‘Unlocking Value Creation by Putting the Customer First’ will be the theme of the 2022 World Passenger Symposium (WPS). The event will take place 1-3 November 2022 in Bahrain with Gulf Air as the host airline.
“Like any business, airlines are most successful when they meet customer expectations. Global standards help to facilitate this. The challenge is ensuring the standards keep pace with technology-driven innovations and evolving customer demands around digital. Air travelers expect transparency wherever they shop for fares, and other airline products, customized offers; bag tracking and contactless processing at airports. I look forward to discussing how we are making these advancements and more happen at this year’s IATA World Passenger Symposium,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
Captain Waleed AlAlawi, Gulf Air Acting Chief Executive Officer, will deliver an Opening Keynote Address. “Our customers are our top priority at Gulf Air. This conference provides a valuable opportunity for the aviation industry to discuss and debate initiatives and standards relating to putting the passenger first. We are very excited to be hosting the IATA World Passenger Symposium and look forward to welcoming the speakers and delegates to Bahrain,” said Captain AlAlawi.
This year’s WPS combines the former Digital, Data and Retailing Symposium, the Global Airport and Passenger Symposium and the Accessibility Symposium into a single event to reflect the importance and connectedness of all three elements to the customer experience.
In addition to plenary sessions, three knowledge tracks (Retail and Payment, Airport & Pax Experience and Accessibility) will address the end-to-end customer journey – encompassing everything from shopping and purchasing an air travel product to arriving at the destination. Each step in the travel process will be addressed from the customer and provider perspectives.
Session topics include:Enabling customer centricity in a new open ecosystem How are airlines adopting to the change of customer centricity and true retailing Competition in the aggregation space Customers at the center of contactless travel Overcoming baggage challenges for a better customer experience Providing customers with an eco-friendly airport experience End-to-end biometrics technology driving airport development Airport accessibility and inclusive design Transport of mobility aids Disability and accessibility research: what is new and why it matters for aviation Other highlights of WPS will include: Results of IATA’s 2022 Global Passenger SurveyEconomic outlook An exhibition showcasing the latest products, technologies and solutions which define the passenger experience both on the ground, and in the airView the complete Program and Speakers
Notes for EditorsThere is no registration fee for accredited media to attend WPS, but they must be pre-registered. IATA (International Air Transport Association) represents some 290 airlines comprising 83% of global air traffic.You can follow us at twitter.com/iata for announcements, policy positions, and other useful industry information.Fly Net Zero -
Air Cargo Priorities: Sustainability, Modernization, Safety & People
NEWS BRIEF
27 September 2022London – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) highlighted four priorities to build resilience and strengthen air cargo’s post-pandemic prospects.
The priorities, outlined at the 15th World Cargo Symposium (WCS), which opened in London today are:Achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 Continuing to modernize processesFinding better solutions to safely carry lithium batteriesMaking air cargo attractive to new talent
“Air cargo had a stellar year in 2021 achieving $204 billion in revenues. At present, however, social and economic challenges are mounting. The war in Ukraine has disrupted supply chains, jet fuel prices are high and economic volatility has slowed GDP growth. Despite this, there are positive developments. E-commerce continues to grow, COVID restrictions are easing, and high-value specialized cargo products are proving resistant to economic ups-and-downs. Going forward, achieving our net zero commitment, modernizing processes, finding better solutions to safely carry lithium batteries, and making air cargo attractive to new talent are critical,” said Brendan Sullivan, IATA’s Global Head of Cargo.
The road to Net Zero by 2050
In 2021 the aviation industry agreed a balanced plan to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. A potential scenario for this is:65% through Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)13% from hydrogen and electric propulsion 3% from more efficient operations 19% through offsets and eventually through carbon capture, as an out-of-sector solution while technology develops.
“SAF is the key to achieving net zero emissions. Airlines used every drop that was available in 2021. And it will be the same this year. The challenge is SAF production capacity. The solution is government incentives. With the right incentives, we could see 30 billion liters of SAF by 2030. That would be a tipping point by 2030 towards our net zero ambition of ample SAF quantities at affordable prices,” said Sullivan.
Modernization and Efficiency
“The challenges of the COVID crisis gave us confidence that we can change and adapt fast. We need to use that confidence to get even closer to the expectations for modernization that our customers have. And we need to be true to air cargo’s unique selling point and move even faster,” said Sullivan.
IATA highlighted two areas where progress was being made: IATA’s ONE Record is making it possible for everyone across the industry’s value chain to see the same information on shipments. Already 156 companies and four customs authorities are using it. IATA Interactive Cargo Guidance provides a common framework so that tracking devices can monitor the quality and accuracy of conditions of time and temperature sensitive goods.
Government support for the modernization agenda through facilitating trade is also critical.
“The Revised Kyoto Convention which brings standardization, technology, predictability and speed to trade facilitation and the World Customs Organization (WCO) SAFE Framework of standards to facilitate and secure trade are major steps forward in supporting global trade. But we are still seeing far too many diverging requirements by governments in areas that should be harmonized by these two tools. This needs to change quickly so we can continue to support global trade—and its vital contributions to economies and the UN Sustainable Development Goals—with modern and efficient air cargo. Universal adoption and implementation will deliver the greatest benefits,” said Sullivan.
Safety
Safety, specifically finding better solutions to safely carry lithium batteries was highlighted as a priority for the industry.
“We can be proud of the progress that we are making to further improve the safe handling of lithium batteries. For air cargo, this is a top priority. But even the best regulatory structure means nothing if the rules are not followed. Compliance is an issue with the transport of lithium batteries, particularly with the proliferation of new—and inexperienced—entrants in e-commerce activities,” said Sullivan.
IATA called for:Regulatory authorities (EASA and FAA) to accelerate development of a test standard that can be used to demonstrate that fire containment pallet covers and fire-resistant containers are capable of withstanding a fire involving lithium batteries. Government authorities to step up and take responsibility for stopping rogue producers and exporters of lithium batteries. Industry to use technology such as DG Autocheck to more easily and accurately verify that the shipment complies with DG requirements.
To embed best practices on the safe carriage of lithium batteries across the value chain, IATA has expanded its CEIV Lithium Battery program to include airlines and shippers.
People
“People are the core of any improvement in what air cargo can deliver. Sadly, we saw thousands of jobs leave the industry during COVID-19, especially cargo handlers. We are now competing for talent in a very tight job market. And when we do find the right and willing talent, training and longer-than-usual security clearance processes delay their entry into the workforce,” said Sullivan.
IATA called for governments to accelerate clearance processes, including those for security, as a short-term solution and longer term to do a better job of attracting, onboarding, and retaining talent.
IATA also encouraged more cargo carriers to sign on to the industry-wide 25by2025 initiative to promote gender diversity. “The need to create equal opportunities for the female half of the world’s population is highlighted by the situation today where the industry is struggling to attract sufficient talent. Achieving an equal gender balance must be core to any long-term talent strategy,” said Sullivan.
Read Brendan Sullivan’s full speech
Notes for Editors:IATA (International Air Transport Association) represents some 290 airlines comprising 83% of global air traffic.You can follow us at twitter.com/iata for announcements, policy positions, and other useful industry information.Fly Net Zero -
IATA to Trial CO2 Emission Calculator for Air Cargo with Etihad.
NEWS BRIEF
27 September 2022London – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) will be trialing a CO2 emissions calculation tool specifically developed for cargo flights together with Etihad Airways.
To effectively manage and report on sustainability progress, the entire value chain – shippers, forwarders, investors and regulators – along with consumers are asking for reliable and trustworthy data calculations. This trial will provide a valuable proof of concept for the cargo component of the IATA CO2 Connect carbon calculator.
IATA has been successfully providing IATA CO2 Connect for passenger flights since June this year, with actual fuel burn data of 57 aircraft types representing ~98% of the active global passenger fleet . By using airline specific data on fuel burn and load factors, it is the most accurate in the market.
Calculating the carbon impact of cargo shipments has more challenging parameters, not least of which is the unpredictability of routing at time of booking an air cargo shipment that can often include non-air segments. In addition, cargo can be carried on both dedicated freighter aircraft and in the bellies of passenger aircraft. To achieve equal levels of accuracy to the passenger calculator, it is essential to collect actual data on fuel burn, load factors and other key variables in trials.
IATA will be working with Etihad Cargo to track the necessary data for cargo shipments during a three-month trial. Etihad will be sharing data from flights and advising on various use cases to achieve the highest levels of accuracy, consistency and transparency.
By mid-2023 IATA aims to launch CO2 Connect for Cargo providing the industry with precise and consistent methodologies for both passenger and cargo operations.
“With a strong commitment to innovation, Etihad Cargo actively seeks out and facilitates the development, trials and launch of promising solutions for its customers and partners. The airline’s development with IATA demonstrates the ability and willingness to co create solutions to support Etihad Cargo’s journey to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and demonstrates the carrier’s agility in adopting state-of-the-art technology and digital solutions. IATA’s CO2 Connect carbon calculator will be an effective tool in making the transportation of cargo more sustainable and will benefit not only Etihad Cargo’s customers but also the wider air cargo sector in the future” said Martin Drew, Senior Vice President Global Sales & Cargo at Etihad Aviation Group.
“Aviation will achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. And our customers—travelers and shippers—need accurate information on the emissions related to their activities to manage their own commitments and reporting obligations. For all these purposes, accurate data is critical. IATA CO2 Connect already provides this for passenger operations. This trial with Etihad will help us in bringing an industry-leading carbon calculator for cargo in the coming months,” said Frederic Leger, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Commercial Products & Services.
About CO2 Connect for Passengers
IATA CO2 Connect is the most accurate tool available for the calculation of aviation emissions in passenger operations. It makes use of airline specific and actual fuel burn information and load factors. This sets it apart from theoretical data models.
IATA CO2 Connect is available to companies within and outside the travel value chain, such as travel management companies (TMCs), travel agencies, airlines or multinational corporations. They can access the relevant CO2 emissions data and integrate it in a customized manner into their existing flight booking tools. Travel managers or travelers can easily see the CO2 emissions per routing. The tool also permits the consolidation of data for reporting purposes.
IATA CO2 Connect utilizes the newly developed CO2 Calculation Methodology, adopted by IATA’s Passenger Service Conference in March this year. This was conceived by leading partners from 20 airlines and major aircraft manufacturers, in consultation with international standard-setting bodies and logistics services providers.Notes for Editors:IATA (International Air Transport Association) represents some 290 airlines comprising 83% of global air traffic.You can follow us at twitter.com/iata for announcements, policy positions, and other useful industry information.Fly Net Zero -
High Expectations on Sustainability and Pandemic Preparedness at 41st ICAO Assembly .
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE27 September 2022No: 44 Montreal – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) urges the 41st Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to address top industry issues, including:Agreeing a Long-term Aspirational Goal (LTAG) for the decarbonization of international aviation in line with the aviation industry’s commitment to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050Strengthening the landmark Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) as the single economic measure used by governments to manage aviation’s carbon footprint Implementing lessons learned from the economically and socially painful destruction of global connectivity that resulted from government attempts to control the spread of COVID-19 “The industry’s expectations for the 41st ICAO Assembly are ambitious but realistic given the challenges that we face. For example, governments must learn the lessons of COVID-19 so that the next pandemic does not result in closed borders bringing social and economic hardship. We also need governments to support the industry’s commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050 with their own commitment and corresponding policy measures on decarbonization. The right decisions by governments can accelerate the recovery from COVID-19 and strengthen the foundations for aviation’s decarbonization,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
IATA has submitted or sponsored over 20 papers on the Assembly’s agenda covering key policy and regulatory areas, including the following:
Sustainability: Airlines are committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. To support this commitment, IATA asks governments to adopt a LTAG of equal ambition that can guide consistent policymaking globally.
Furthermore, IATA urges governments to strengthen CORSIA as the single global economic measure to manage aviation’s international emissions. This means avoiding new taxes or emissions pricing schemes; and eliminating the plethora of duplicative measures that has evolved in recent years.
As Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is at the core of aviation’s energy transition and is expected to deliver some 65% of carbon mitigation by 2050, IATA calls on governments for coordinated policy measures to incentivize production. IATA is also calling for the establishment of a global “book and claim “system to enable the most efficient uptake of SAF by airlines.
Lessons Learned from COVID-19: IATA calls on governments to be better prepared for future health emergencies and to avoid the fragmented response to COVID-19. Where COVID-19 measures are still in place, these must be reviewed considering lessons learned during COVID-19 and evaluated against global best practices.
The challenge is to review the ICAO CARTrecommendations, which supported the restoration of global connectivity, based on deep scientific knowledge and understanding built-up during the COVID-19 pandemic. This should enable a pandemic preparedness framework that avoids border closures with an approach featuring more proportionate and transparent risk management measures, common standards for health credentials, and better communication—including a common platform for sharing data on measures implemented by governments.
Strengthened cooperation and dialogue are needed at global, regional and national levels. IATA is calling for leadership from ICAO and the World Health Organization (WHO) including a central role for the CAPSCA framework based on an ongoing and monitored work program. This should lead to a crisis response toolkit which can be activated as required and is inclusive of health authorities and industry stakeholders.
People and Talent: IATA calls for action on a number of issues relating to travelers and those who work in the air transport industry. Specifically:States should agree a global framework for how air transport implements its obligation under the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. Regulatory consistency will help airlines and airports identify barriers to accessibility and meet the needs of travelers with disabilities with predictable services and processes. Universal ratification of Montreal Protocol 2014 (MP 14) is needed to provide effective disincentives for unruly behavior globally. While MP14 is in effect, only 38 states have ratified it.An examination of current restrictions on upper age limits for pilots is needed. This should consider new technology and emerging science. Adjusting this barrier to employment could help ensure the pilot talent needed to support future growth.IATA supports global initiatives to address gender imbalances in the aviation industry and encourages all aviation stakeholders to join its 25by2025 initiative.Safety, Security and Operations: Highlights in this area include: IATA supports an obligation for states to consider aviation safety issues and consult industry experts when enabling new services such as 5G.IATA calls for states to support faster standard setting practices at ICAO and a phased approach to the implementation of ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs). This will help SARPs to keep pace with developments in technology while avoiding the confusion created when there are delays due to the complexities of testing, certification and supply chain challenges.Data: A patchwork of laws has evolved globally for personal data collection, use, transmission and retention. These can be contradictory when airlines operate international services. IATA calls on governments to work through ICAO to bring consistency and predictability to data laws applicable to international air transport.
Global Standards and Implementation
“Global standards are at the core of a safe, efficient, and sustainable air transport industry. This ICAO Assembly has enormous opportunities to advance aviation’s decarbonization, prepare the industry for the next pandemic, advance gender diversity, improve accessible air travel and enable standard setting to keep pace with technology. We look forward to states rising to these and other challenges before the Assembly,” said Walsh.
“Agreement, however, is only half the solution. Decisions made at the Assembly need to be implemented. The fact that we have a multitude of environment taxes when CORSIA was agreed to be the single global economic measure to manage international emissions illustrates the importance of effective implementation,” said Walsh.
View the Willie Walsh Media Briefing on the 41st ICAO Assembly
View the Industry Outlook Presentation
Notes for EditorsIATA (International Air Transport Association) represents some 290 airlines comprising 83% of global air traffic.You can follow us at twitter.com/iata for announcements, policy positions, and other useful industry information.Fly Net Zero -
Strong Passenger Demand Continues in June
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE04 August 2022No: 40 Geneva – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced passenger data for June 2022 showing that the recovery in air travel remains strong.
Note: We have returned to year-on-year traffic comparisons, instead of comparisons with the 2019 period, unless otherwise noted. Owing to the low traffic base in 2021, some markets will show very high year-on-year growth rates, even if the size of these markets is still significantly smaller than they were in 2019.
Total traffic in June 2022 (measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) was up 76.2% compared to June 2021, primarily propelled by the ongoing strong recovery in international traffic. Globally, traffic is now at 70.8% of pre-crisis levels.
Domestic traffic for June 2022 was up 5.2% compared to the year-ago period. Strong improvements in most markets, combined with the easing of some Omicron-related lockdown restrictions in the Chinese domestic market, contributed to the result. Total June 2022 domestic traffic was at 81.4% of the June 2019 level.
International traffic rose 229.5% versus June 2021. The lifting of travel restrictions in most parts of Asia-Pacific is contributing to the recovery. June 2022 international RPKs reached 65.0% of June 2019 levels.“Demand for air travel remains strong. After two years of lockdowns and border restrictions people are taking advantage of the freedom to travel wherever they can,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.June 2022 (% year-on-year)World share1RPKASKPLF (%-pt)2PLF (level)3Total Market 100.0%76.2%48.5%12.9%82.4%Africa1.9%97.1%62.0%13.2%74.3%Asia Pacific27.5%33.7%18.9%8.1%72.9%Europe25.0%155.1%96.1%19.9%86.0%Latin America6.5%74.0%67.2%3.2%81.7%Middle East6.6%216.8%89.3%31.1%77.2%North America32.6%39.2%26.4%8.2%89.1%1% of industry RPKs in 2021 2year-on-year change in load factor 3Load Factor Level 
International Passenger MarketsAsia-Pacific airlines had a 492.0% rise in June traffic compared to June 2021. Capacity rose 138.9% and the load factor was up 45.8 percentage points to 76.7%. The region is now relatively open to foreign visitors and tourism which is helping foster the recovery.
European carriers’ June traffic rose 234.4% versus June 2021. Capacity rose 134.5%, and load factor climbed 25.8 percentage points to 86.3%. International traffic within Europe is above pre-pandemic levels in seasonally adjusted terms.
Middle Eastern airlines’ traffic rose 246.5% in June compared to June 2021. June capacity rose 102.4% versus the year-ago period, and load factor climbed 32.4 percentage points to 78.0%.
North American carriers experienced a 168.9% traffic rise in June versus the 2021 period. Capacity rose 95.0%, and load factor climbed 24.1 percentage points to 87.7%, which was the highest among the regions.
Latin American airlines’ June traffic rose 136.6% compared to the same month in 2021. June capacity rose 107.4% and load factor increased 10.3 percentage points to 83.3%. After leading the regions in load factor for 20 consecutive months, Latin America slipped back to third place in June.
African airlines had a 103.6% rise in June RPKs versus a year ago. June 2022 capacity was up 61.9% and load factor climbed 15.2 percentage points to 74.2%, the lowest among regions. International traffic between Africa and neighboring regions is close to pre-pandemic levels.Domestic Passenger MarketsJune 2022 (% year-on-year)World share1
RPKASKPLF (%-pt)2PLF (level)3Domestic62.3%5.2%2.3%2.2%81.1%Australia0.8%78.6%43.5%15.9%80.8%Brazil1.9%37.6%47.3%-5.4%75.4%China P.R.17.8%-45.0%-37.6%-8.9%65.9%India2.2%264.4%179.8%19.0%81.8%Japan1.1%146.4%79.7%15.7%58.2%US25.6%8.7%4.1%3.9%89.8%1% of industry RPKs in 2021 2year-on-year change in load factor 3Load Factor LevelChina’s domestic RPKs fell 45.0% year-on-year in June but this was a substantial improvement compared to May’s year-over-year performance as lockdown measures were eased.
Japan’s domestic traffic was up 146.4% in June, compared to June 2021. June 2022 (% ch vs the same month in 2019)World share in1RPKASKPLF (%-pt)2PLF (level)3Total Market 100.0%-29.2%-27.5%-2.0%82.4%International37.7%-35.0%-34.8%-0.3%83.4%Domestic62.3%-18.6%-13.9%-4.6%81.1%
The Bottom Line
“With the Northern Hemisphere summer travel season now fully underway, predictions that the lifting of travel restrictions would unleash a torrent of pent-up travel demand are being borne out. At the same time, meeting that demand has proved challenging and likely will continue to be so. All the more reason to continue to show flexibility to the slot use rules. The European Commission’s intent to return to the longstanding 80-20 requirement is premature.
“Just look at the issues that airlines and their passengers at some hub airports are being confronted with. These airports are unable to support their declared capacity even with the current 64% slot threshold and have extended recent passenger caps until the end of October. Flexibility is still essential in support of a successful recovery.
“By capping passenger numbers, airports are preventing airlines from benefitting from the strong demand. Heathrow Airport has tried to blame airlines for the disruption. However, Service Level Performance data for the first six months of this year show that they have failed miserably to provide basic services and missed their Passenger Security service target by a massive 14.3 points. Data for June has not yet been published but is expected to show the lowest level of service by the airport since records began,” said Walsh.
View the full June 2022 Air Passenger Market Analysis (pdf)Notes for Editors:IATA (International Air Transport Association) represents some 290 airlines comprising 83% of global air traffic. You can follow us at twitter.com/iata for announcements, policy positions, and other useful industry information.Statistics compiled by IATA Economics using direct airline reporting complemented by estimates, including the use of FlightRadar24 data provided under license.All figures are provisional and represent total reporting at time of publication plus estimates for missing data. Historic figures are subject to revision.Domestic RPKs accounted for about 62.4% of the total market; the 7 domestic markets in this report accounted for 53.9% of global RPKs in 2021.Explanation of measurement terms:RPK: Revenue Passenger Kilometers measures actual passenger trafficASK: Available Seat Kilometers measures available passenger capacityPLF: Passenger Load Factor is % of ASKs used.IATA statistics cover international and domestic scheduled air traffic for IATA member and non-member airlines.Total passenger traffic market shares for 2021 by region of carriers in terms of RPK are: Asia-Pacific 27.5%, Europe 25.0%, North America 32.6%, Middle East 6.6%, Latin America 6.5%, and Africa 1.9%.Fly Net Zero
